The Great Pandemic

Sin [ sin ]

noun (plural sins)

Definition:

1. transgression of theological principles: an act, thought, or way of behaving that goes against the law or teachings of a religion, especially when the person who commits it is aware of this

2. shameful offense: something that offends a moral or ethical principle

3. estrangement from God: in Christian theology, the condition of being denied God's grace because of a sin or sins committed



We worry about the 'great pandemic' that might be coming down the pike in the form of the 'bird flu' or the 'swine flu', but don't give a thought to the worst pandemic that has never been brought under control. Everyone is 'infected.' Everyone will die of it, unless they accept the 'cure' for it. And many would rather die than accept the 'cure.' This pandemic's name? SIN

The Bible teaches that everyone is guilty of sin...and some of us say, "Not me, I'm a good person!" So let's examine that:

Sin is described as anyone who breaks God's law: so....

What is God's law? The Ten Commandments is God's Yard Stick. And when Jesus was on earth he clarified just how specific God gets with those laws. For example:

One of our arguments for being a good person is to say, "Well, I never killed anybody." But Jesus told us that whoever hates another has already killed that person in their hearts. Making any of us who have 'hated' someone murderers.

In fact, Jesus went on to explain that anyone who lusted after another person to whom they are not married has, in God's eyes, already committed adultery. Making those of us guilty of this adulterers.

So if that is the level of God's standard it stands to reason, that anyone who has waisted time while working at their job has 'stolen' time, and therefore money, from their employer...and is a thief...and so on.

And, here's the kicker: The Bible teaches that whoever is guilty of one of these laws is guilty of all. Sin is an all or nothing proposition with God.

Why?

Because God is holy (without sin). He isn't holy sometimes, or kind of holy. He IS holy. The Bible says, God cannot even associate with sin. So, when we sin, we become separated from Him. Our situation is hopeless, because the Bible teaches that the consequence of sin is death. Not just physical death, but spiritual death as well. No exceptions.

"So what about God's love and mercy?" we ask.

Well, one of my favorite passages in the Bible is, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." It means that God recognized we had doomed ourselves to death, but He wasn't willing for that to be the end of it. So He made a way for us.

In pre-New Testament times (back before Jesus was born, and died on the cross) when people sinned their only way of absolving themselves of sin was to go out and select the most perfect lamb or goat that they had, and to kill it and to offer it up as a sacrifice before God. (God required that the choice be spotless, and the 'best' of what that person had.) It's spilled blood was to take the place for the guilty person.

So, God promised to send a deliverer. Someone to become the sacrifice for all of us. He sent Jesus, His own Son (God in human form), to take the place of all men to die in our place. He did this not because He is evil and sadistic, but because He knew that Jesus was the only one worthy to absolve the sins of all men.

The Bible teaches that the curse of sin entered the world, through one man (Adam), and through the blood of another (Jesus) was resolved. But there is a catch: We have to accept the gift of His Son's sacrifice. No gift is truly received until we take it, and own it. We have to confess our need for Jesus' sacrifice, and not with a mercenary spirit but with a humble and grateful heart. The Bible teaches that God is looking for a broken and contrite heart. We must ask God to transform our blackened hearts, and transform us into the 'perfect' man or woman He made us to be.

And the final work in us will not be completed until we die. (So if you meet a Christian who isn't perfect, none of us are, yet.)

For many, this is too simple. They are offended by the 'idea' that they should be 'labeled' a sinner. They reject the love of God as 'ridiculous', and those that follow God and believe the Bible as simple-minded and/or hypocritical. And because of the free will God gave them...He let's them choose. Jesus warned that those who followed him would be called fools by the world.

The Bible also teaches that God desires to be with us, and that someday our chance to get to know Him and his Son, and to accept His alternative to death will expire, and He will send Jesus to bring 'home' those who have chosen to follow Him. If you meet a Christian who is trying to witness to you, it is because He knows that the pandemic of sin is a killer, and not to warn people it is coming...is to stand by and watch people perish with no hope for escape.

Those of us who do believe God's word (The Bible), are not always good advertisement for God. As I mentioned before, all of us still struggle with sin, and each of us with different sins. The ones non-believers find most repugnant are those of us who struggle with sin of 'judging others'. The Bible teaches that no man has the right to judge another, except through God appointed governments (in other words, through our courts). When those who presume to speak for God, and go so far as to condemn others they go beyond their authority. We are charged to speak the truth in love, not with vile angry accusations, and God will hold those accountable who take such 'authority' upon themselves.

I too am a sinner saved by grace, and I struggle daily to follow the example of love Jesus set. I fail frequently, and pray that over time I may become more of the woman God created me to be. I know many who have not followed God, and to this day do not acknowledge the 'gift' of Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection, and all I can say is I hope for them to know God and the love I have found in His grace and mercy. Forgive me for the times I misrepresent Him.

To those who say, "I reject your Bible, and this God you believe in," I put it to you that each man owes it to himself to find out if the Bible is true of not true. Doubt is not wisdom, wisdom is wisdom. If you want to know if it is true, I have a recipe for success: Have enough faith to imagine there is a God, and then ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Then begin reading the Bible. (Just in case I'm right about that pandemic.)

Whatever you decide...Jesus loves you, this I know for the Bible tells me so.

Grace and Peace to you.